Presentation of J.M. Barroso to the informal European Council, 30 January 2012

2

Discipline and growth must be combined
Government balance in % of GDP
6 4 2 0

2007

2011

2013*

EA SE EE DE BG MT* AT RO LV HU* LT PT SK FR ES SI CZ LU

EU

-2 -4

FI

IT
-6

DK PL* CY*

BE* NL

-8 -10 -12
* This forecast is based on an Autumn 2011 scenario of « no policy change » and does not reflect announcements made since then, except for BE, CY, HU, MT and PL, where information for 2013 dates from January 2012.

EL UK IE

Presentation of J.M. Barroso to the informal European Council, 30 January 2012

Structural policies
Business environment and SMEs Public services and cohesion policy

Financial stability

Fiscal consolidation

Long-term Fiscal Sustainability framew ork

Taxation

Wage Setting

Labour Market participation

Education

Netw ork industries

Energy efficiency

Service sector

R&D and innovation

Banking

Housing market

AT BE BG CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR HU IT LT LU MT NL PL SE SI SK UK

Note: Recommendations adopted by the EU in July 2011 for 2011-2012. For IE, LV, EL, PT and RO, the only recommendation is to implement existing commitments under EU/IMF financial assistance programmes.

Presentation of J.M. Barroso to the informal European Council, 30 January 2012

Note: this table summarises commitments taken by Member States participating in the Euro Plus Pact since Spring 2011.

Presentation of J.M. Barroso to the informal European Council, 30 January 2012

6

Annual Growth Survey: five priorities for 2012
Pursuing growth-friendly fiscal consolidation Restoring normal lending to the economy Promoting growth and competitiveness Tackling unemployment and the social consequences of the crisis Modernising public administration

Presentation of J.M. Barroso to the informal European Council, 30 January 2012

WORK: EURES
1.3 million vacancies 25 700 employers registered 100 000 jobs/offers a year
Presentation of J.M. Barroso to the informal European Council, 30 January 2012

10

A “Youth on the move” Pact (1) EACH MEMBER STATE TO:
Develop youth jobs plans by mid-April as part of National Reform Programmes Agree with social partners to increase number of apprenticeships and traineeships Guarantee job, education or training for each young person within 4 months of leaving school Re-direct EU Structural Funds to give priority to youth unemployment

Use existing EU support schemes to facilitate youth mobility (with EU and/or top-up national funding)
Presentation of J.M. Barroso to the informal European Council, 30 January 2012

11

A “Youth on the move” Pact (2) WHERE YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IS SIGNIFICANTLY ABOVE EU AVERAGE:
Action teams with Commission, Member States & social partners to develop youth jobs plans Use of unallocated EU Structural Funds to fund training and work experience
Presentation of J.M. Barroso to the informal European Council, 30 January 2012

12

FOCUS 2: Helping our entrepreneurs…
What is the most pressing problem your firm is facing? (all SMEs in the EU, %, survey from December 2011)
2009 2011

Finding customers Access to finance Competition Availability of skilled staff or experienced managers Costs of production or labour Regulation

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Presentation of J.M. Barroso to the informal European Council, 30 January 2012

Note: Commission estimate of EU funding in programmes still to be allocated to specific operations on the ground. * ESF = European Social Fund. ERDF = European Regional Development Fund.

Presentation of J.M. Barroso to the informal European Council, 30 January 2012

15

European Semester: working together on next steps
Now: Prepare youth jobs plan in each National Reform Programme Commission / Member State action on youth unemployment in worst affected Member States (accelerating / redirecting structural funds for youth and SME support) March: EU-level guidance from Spring summit (based on Annual Growth Survey) April: May: June: Member State commitments in National Reform Programmes Commission country-specific recommendations European Council decisions on country-specific recommendations
16

Presentation of J.M. Barroso to the informal European Council, 30 January 2012

EUROPE 2020
Presentation of J.M. Barroso to the informal European Council, 30 January 2012